The Hermetic Museum

...whenever one wants to earn the reputation of a bright mind. For what a miserable figure a fashionable scholar The author uses "Modegelehrter" to mock the trend-following academics of the Enlightenment who dismissed traditional or esoteric knowledge. of our time would make, if he only let it be known that he believes the Bible to be God’s Word; that he believes no upright man can be imagined without religion; that he believes Moses was no imposter and Christ was more than just a good, wise, charitable, and philanthropic man! And how terribly the dictatorial scholars would first lash him with special rods if he were to say out loud: "I am convinced of the existence of Higher Chemistry Refers to Alchymia, or spiritual alchemy, as opposed to "lower" common chemistry. and Magic; I am convinced that both sciences are sisters of revealed and natural religion, and that the foundation of all philosophy lies in these sciences."

Our philosophical century, especially the current moment, is content with a puppet show; it studies Nature by looking at these wooden beauties, sinks into a sea of amazement at the sight of tinsel costumes original: "leonischer Dressen" - referring to Lyonese tinsel or imitation gold thread used in cheap theatrical costumes. and colorful rags glued together, and is thereby as satisfied with itself as if it heard the spheres The "Music of the Spheres," an ancient philosophical concept regarding the harmonious mathematical proportions in the movements of celestial bodies. singing, or had seen the hound of hell original: "Höllenhund" - likely a reference to Cerberus, the multi-headed dog guarding the underworld in Greek mythology....